Good Morning! God brought about change in the Earth not only through the advanced preparation of the Spirit (Genesis 1:2) but through the daily proclamation of His Word.

IN THE BEGINNING GOD PREPARED THE EARTH BY HIS WORD:Genesis 1:3. “And God said, …”

In the Bible the phrase “God said” occurs over twenty–five hundred times. “God said” … “the Lord has said” … “thus saith the Lord,” and so on. That is more than two times for every page in the Bible. God has made it very clear that He is speaking through this Book. It is a Book that can communicate life to you.

The phrase “and God said” occurs ten times in the first chapter. Was His Word like a still, small voice whispering in the darkness? Was His Word rumbling and loud like a peal of thunder? Was His Word full, musical, reverberating like the sound of rushing waters? However it was, it was simply an expression of what was on God’s mind. Regardless of the form, we know that every day of Creation, God’s Word went forth, every day it was received, and every day some change took place in response, until progressively, day after day after day, the earth was transformed from emptiness to fullness of life and beauty.

Is your life empty? Do you want to experience real, lasting, God-pleasing change so that you are filled with satisfaction, peace, joy, love, purpose—abundant life?

Then don’t look to a drug, a bottle, a pill, a therapist, a once-a-week trip to church, or even a weekly Bible study. Look to God’s Word for yourself. Read your Bible every day in order to understand, apply, and obey it. As we long to grow not only in our faith but in our Christian character so that others can readily see Christ in us, we need to live in the power of the Holy Spirit and in obedience to His Word. This transformation is a continual processthat is brought about by daily saturating ourselves in the Scriptures, then living it out in our life day by day.

God’s Word has not lost its power since the beginning of time! The same power that transformed planet Earth from that which was void, dark, without form, and in a fluid condition to that which was teeming with life, clothed in beauty, and reflective of the image of God is available today to change and fill empty lives.

Good Morning! When Jesus was crucified I wonder how near the cross we would have stood? We sing that grand old hymn – “Jesus, keep me near the cross, there a precious fountain”, but how nearthe cross would we have been if we were there to witness Jesus’ crucifixion?

KEEP ME NEAR THE CROSS:John 19:25. “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.”

In today’s reading there were some people who stood near the cross. 1. Four Roman soldiers – they were there out of duty.2. Four women and the apostle John – they were there because they loved Jesus.a. Mary, the mother of Jesus, b. Salome (His mother’s sister), c. Mary Magdalened. John, the beloved disciple. We pray and sing “Keep me near the cross”, but what does it really mean to be near the cross when Jesus was crucified? I am not talking about a literal physical presence, but I am referring to a spiritual position. I am talking about a special relationship to Jesus Christ. We want to look at four people who stood near His cross. These four had very special reasons to be there.

To Mary Magdalene it was a place of redemption: She was a woman whom Jesus had cast out seven demons. She had been in bondage to Satan for a long time. These seven demons made her do terrible things. Satan was at work in her life to destroy, cause havoc, and wreck her physically, emotionally and spiritually. Mary was in a hopeless and helpless situation. Then Jesus came along and cast out these seven demons. Jesus delivered Mary from her bondage and set her free. Mary Magdalene was miraculously saved from her dilemma. Mary Magdalene was redeemed and bought back from the bondage she was in. She was delivered through a miraculous encounter with Jesus.

But, redemption is a costly thing. When Jesus delivered Mary Magdalene it cost Him something. Standing there at the cross Mary saw the price being paid. Jesus had to die that we might be redeemed and bought back from bondage. Yes, redemption is a costly thing. It is no wonder Mary Magdalene was standing there at the cross. It is no wonder that Mary Magdalene was there at His burial. It is no wonder that Mary Magdalene was there at His resurrection. Mary Magdalene had experienced redemption and she stood near the cross because it was a place of redemption.

Good Morning! We are looking at four people who stood near the cross when Jesus was crucified.

SALOME, A PLACE OF REBUKE:John 19:25. “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.”

Who was Salome? Most commentators identify “his mother’s sister” as Salome, the wife of Zebedee and the mother of James and John (Matthew 20:20-23). As the mother of James and John she was the one who once asked Jesus a very selfish request, “Can my two sons have places of honor in glory?”(Matthew 20:20) In other words she wanted something for her two sons. She wanted one of them to sit at the right hand of Jesus’ throne and the other to sit on the left hand of Jesus’ throne. What she asked of Jesus was a very selfish request. She wanted the best for her two sons.

Jesus responded (Matthew 20:20-24) by saying that she didn’t know what she was asking. “Can they drink the cup that I going to drink?” (i.e. referring to his death). Salome’s request was born out of pride and selfishness. Did her two sons deserve thrones? Thrones are not given away, you have to earn them. Salome had forgotten the true cost of reward. She did not realize that suffering comes before reward. There is no crown without a cross. There is no wearing of a crown without the drinking of the cup of suffering.

Sometimes we can be so selfish in our desires. Salome’s request for her two sons was a selfish, earthly, proud request. She did not realize the price that her two sons would have to pay. Remember James, he was martyred and John was exiled to Patmos before they went home to glory. Salome was greatly rebuked standing at the cross, realizing what it cost Jesus, the Son of God, to give up. Jesus gave up the glory of heaven and became a servant for us by giving his life for us.

Salome says to each one of us this morning, “The cross is a place of rebuke.” When we contemplate what Jesus did for us and gave up for us, what He endured for us and what He suffered for us, the cross can be a place of rebuke in the light of our own selfish desires and ambitions. Jesus says to us, “Are you willing to drink this cup?” We say, “Oh no, Lord, we just want the answer to our prayers!” Jesus continues, “Are you willing to suffer for me?” We respond, “Oh no, Lord, I just want the blessing, not the suffering!”

Good Morning! We are looking at four people who stood near the cross when Jesus was crucified.

MARY, THE MOTHER OF JESUS - A PLACE OF REWARD:John 19:25. “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.”

Mary was Jesus’ earthly mother and He did not ignore her on the cross because He rewarded her by sharing His beloved disciple with her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” Why did Jesus reward his mother? We have just concluded above that rewards come at a high cost. What was the cost for Mary? What suffering did she endure? Luke 2:35 reveals a prophecy concerning Mary, “A sword shall pierce your own soul also” How did she suffer? She suffered physically when she brought the Saviour into the world. She suffered shame and reproach and gossip when found to be with child before the marriage was consummated with Joseph.

She fled to Egypt to save her child, but countless innocent children died because of her child. How do you think she felt about that? She would have suffered emotionally. Mary was Jesus’ earthly mother and He did not ignore her on the cross because he rewarded her by sharing His beloved disciple with her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” Why did Jesus reward his mother? We have just concluded above that rewards come at a high cost. What was the cost for Mary? What suffering did she endure? Luke 2:35 reveals a prophecy concerning Mary, “A sword shall pierce your own soul also” How did she suffer? She suffered physically when she brought the Saviour into the world. She suffered shame and reproach and gossip when found to be with child before the marriage was consummated with Joseph.

She fled to Egypt to save her child, but countless innocent children died because of her child. How do you think she felt about that? She would have suffered emotionally. There was a growing separation between her and Jesus when Jesus declared to her one day, “Don’t you know that I must be about my fathers business?” (Luke 2:49) Yes, a sword shall pierce your side. She felt the climax of Simeon’s prophecy (Luke 2:35) at the cross, when her son died, and she suffered because of the way He died (on a cross, numbered with the transgressors) and where He died (openly, publicly, shamefully). And Mary stood there feeling the pain of the sword go through her soul. But Jesus saw her and had compassion for her and assured her of His love for her. What was He doing? He was establishing a new relationship with her.

Good Morning! We are looking at four people who stood near the cross when Jesus was crucified.

JOHN, THE BELOVED DISCIPLE - A PLACE OF RESPONSIBILITY:John 19:25. “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.”

For John, to be at the cross was to stand at a place of responsibility. What we need to first understand is that John stood at the cross restored. He, along with the other disciples, had forsaken Jesus and fled for their lives at the garden of Gethsemane. But, John came back to the cross. He was restored and forgiven. Christians may stray and deny our Lord, but we can still come back to the cross. It doesn’t matter what we’ve done. The cross is the place to go for forgiveness, deliverance and restoration.

For John to stand at the cross was probably not the safest place to stand or the easiest place to stand. It would have taken courage and love for John to come back to the cross. But remember what did John write years later in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Jesus not only restored John but he gave John some responsibility. “John, you are going to take my place. I will no longer be on earth, to watch over my mother, so you are going to take my place. You are going to take my mother, and you are going to be a son to her.” For John, the cross was a place of responsibility.

All believers are taking His place here on earth. John 20:21 tells us that, “As my Father has sent me, even so, send I you.” You and I represent Jesus to others. To acknowledge the cross, is to acknowledge a place of responsibility. If you and I have come to the cross, we have a huge responsibility to love the Lord Jesus (because He has loved us on the cross), to love others (just like John loved Jesus’ mother), to love others the same way Jesus loved us. The cross is indeed a place of responsibility.

Jesus keep me near the cross, There a precious fountain: Free to all a healing stream, Flows from Calvary’s mountain.(Chorus)In the cross, in the cross, Be my glory ever, Till my raptured soul shall find, Rest beyond the river.

Good Morning! We don’t read of Paul ever singing when he was by himself, but he couldn’t help singing when Silas was near. Silas started a chorus, “We Want Be In Here Long.”

MIDNIGHT IN THE PRISON AT PHILIPPI: Acts 16:25. "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.26. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.”

The inmates in the prison at Philippi had long been accustomed to prisoners being brought in at all hours of the day and night. Shrikes, and groans, and cursing, and swearing had been heard many times in that dark dungeon. Never before had the inmates been disturbed at midnight by the sound of praise and prayer. Two men had been brought in a very bad condition and thrust into the deepest part of the prison. It was this part of the prison from which the singing was coming, and they kept on singing until all the prisoners heard them.

Who were these men? and why were they in Philippi? It would not be enough to say that they were Missionaries of Jesus Christ, of which, there have been thousands. And for many their Ministry has been brought to a close by just such incidents that we have just read about. By being tormented and thrown into a dungeon never to be heard from again. Then there have been voices from the Prison, voices which will never be silenced. It was from such a prison that John Bunyan Wrote Pilgrim’s Progress.

The first of these two men needs no introduction. “Paul an Apostle of Jesus Christ. (11 Corinthians 1:1, Ephesians 1:1) “Paul a Prisoner of Jesus.” (Philippians 1:1) “Paul a Servant of Jesus Christ.” (Romans 1:1) He was no stranger to suffering and persecution. “For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake” (Acts 9:16). Paul had on one occasion been stoned and left for dead in Lystra. (Acts 14:19) But God raised him up to life. But here at Philippi was probably his first prison experience. I am glad that he had Silas for a companion.

The other man Silas: Some people are an inspiration to be around. I feel that Silas was such a person. Although far over-shadowed by Paul, Silas had some great outstanding qualities himself. Everyone needs a Silas in time of stress.

AND IT WAS NIGHT:John 13:30. “He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.”

It was the night humanity sank to its lowest depts. The thing that strikes us here is the utter loneliness of Judas. With so few words John paints the picture. “He went immediately out: and it was night.” Within there was light and gladness and the richest fellowship the world has ever known. For Jesus was there. John was leaning on His bosom. The talk was on Holy Themes that evening. Outside was hostility and hatred. Outside was darkness, “and it was night.” This is a fitting description of anyone going away from God.

Sin Drove Judas Out Into The Darkness: No man drove Judas out into the darkness. It was the motion (inertia) of his own heart and life that impelled Judas to choose the darkness rather that light. It is the continual effects of sin. In every shape and form, in every age and country, sin brings and intensifies the loneliness of life. Sin Separates: Sin separates friends, families, partners, and fellowship with God. Sin drives wedges between brother and brother, sister and sister, husband and wife, partners in business. Anywhere there is sin there is division. A friendship based upon sinful conditions is in reality only a comradeship.

There can be no real trust. Sin separates man from his ideal—or what he knows he should do with his life. Sin separates man from man. Sin divides the brother-hood. Finally sin separates for God. Sin separated Judas from his ideal—or what he knew he should do with himself and his life. Judas knew that the life which Jesus introduced was the greatest life which had ever been lived upon the earth. Judas knew that He should allow himself to be consumed by that life—that with passion he should give himself unto it. There were powerful forces at work upon him.

Judas had walked with the Light of the World, but as Jesus said He chose darkness because his deeds were evil. In the next few days we want to study the forces which were at work upon Judas and the inner struggles which must surely have gone on in his life. The more we know of this force the more we will know how to deal with the same force in our own lives.

Good Morning! Somebody has said “There is a part of me that it takes all the rest of me to keep under control.”

THERE ARE POWERFUL FORCES THAT WE FACE:John 13:30. “He (Judas) then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.Ephesians 6:12. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

Three and one-half years before this dreadful night, Judas had joined this little fellow-ship, with the highest goals and intentions in mind. It takes some doing (action) to carry them out. Many people’s intentions and goals are born at the altar. But it takes a lifetime to fulfill them. Judas had a high purpose in mind. He was a member of a Preaching Team. He rejoiced because the Devils were subject to his prayers. He held a position of trust (He was treasurer) of the Apostolic band. What went wrong? What caused Judas to lose his ideal: His purpose in life which he seemed to have set out on? The hardships of the past 3 1/2 years had not caused him to murmur.

The hardships of life do not usually divide friendships nor cause one to change course. Hardships causes to us to realize how much we need one another. Hardship drives us to prayer- trust in God and one another. The mountains and valleys, the deserts, the lakes, and the storms were all gone through together. But sin separated Judas from his Brethren. Jesus had said, “By this shall all men know that ye are my Disciples, if ye have love one to another.” Whatever it was that went wrong it had to start with Judas himself. That was Judas’ problem. Was it greed? Thirst for power or importance? Was it disillusions? Did he think that things were not going to work out like he thought?

Whatever it was that Judas did not conquer in his life Satan took advantage of it.John 13:2. “And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;” This does not mean that Judas for the first time left the faith and became an Apostate. It simply means that at last the Devil prevailed in the heart of this unhappy man the plan of betraying his Master.

Good Morning! Satan works on the outside of an individual by temptations and suggestions which a person can resist, but when Satan enters into an individual he takes complete control and causes them to do things they would not ordinarily do.

SATAN TAKES CONTROL OF JUDAS:John 13:26b. “And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27. And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.” (This last phrase is addressed to Satan himself)

He puts (cast) into the heart of those he tempts the seeds of evil. The heart is the seed plot into which he sows. Suggestion is one of his chief weapons. The sin of man consists of opening his heart to the suggestions. Giving it a place, and letting it sink down. So the seed sown in the heart of Judas was now to bear fruit.

Let us note the reality, personality and awful power of our great spiritual enemy the Devil. There are degrees in his power and dominion over us. If his first temptations are not resisted, he may in the end gain full and entire possession of every part of our soul, and lead us captive to be his slaves.

So we find that even at the First Communion Satan was present, and busy in a heart. First he suggest: then he commands. First he knocks at the door and asks permission to come in. Then once admitted, he takes complete possession and rules the whole inward man like a tyrant. Once a person begins tampering with the Devil he never knows how far he may fall. Trifling with the first thoughts of sin, making light of evil ideas, when first offered to us is dangerous to our soul. Don’t allow Satan to talk to us, and flatter us, and put bad notions into our hearts. This all may seem like a small matter to many but at this point is where the road to ruin often begins.

They would meet one more time in the Garden when Judas performed his awful deed. In a short while both the Holy Master and the treacherous servant were dead. They will never meet again in the body till the trumpet sounds, and the dead are raised and the Judgment is set, and the Books are opened. What an awful meeting that will be. We should not think of Judas as an absolute unique character as the solitary perfect incarnation of Satanic wickedness. We should always think as the Disciples did. “Is It I.”

Good Morning! Today we look at one of the last stories we have on record of Jesus’ teaching. Told as He and His disciples camped on Mount Olives, three days later He was crucified.

TEN VIRGINS AT A WEDDING:Matthew 25:1. “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.”

Jesus was the world’s greatest story teller—they will live forever. The setting for this story is given in Matthew 24:3 “And as he sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” Jesus is still seated on the Mount overlooking the temple and the city of Jerusalem. He is surrounded by the twelve disciples to whom He was unfolding the deeper mysteries of the Kingdom Of God.

The sun had long gone behind the hills of Judea, and darkness spreads across the city. The gates of the city are shut—the streets are darkened—almost all the lights are out. One home is still lighted by oil lamps for a festive occasion. A crowd is gathered, indicating that a marriage procession is expected. Jewish weddings were celebrated at night, in accordance with the custom of the times. The Bridegroom, with the children of the bride-chamber (his own special friends) has gone to bring home his betrothed bride—by torch light, celebrating all the way.

He would conduct her along these darkened streets from her father’s house to his own, where a banquet is prepared for invited Guest. Near the house lingering near the doorway, can be seen Ten Young Woman in festive attire. Each of these Bridal Attendants has a lamp in her hand. A small vessel for oil is slung at her side. Their lamps are lit. They have been waiting moment after moment, hour after hour, for the coming of the Bridegroom. Their eyes are turned towards the house where he has gone. They are eager to catch the gleam of the torches which signal his return.

Some unforeseen reason has delayed his coming. Wearied with the excitement and the fatigue of the long unexpected watch, these watchers for the Bridegroom have one after the other, dropped off to sleep. Their lamps left to burn as long as they will. Several hours have passed and the lamps grow dim.

Good Morning! It’s almost ‘midnight’ and the Bridegroom has been gone a long time, let us arise and trim our lamps before they go out

BEHOLD THE BRIDEGROOM COMETH:Matthew 25:2. “And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.3. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4. But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

“While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept:” At last, midnight arrives. The sleepers are awakened with the cry of some Herald or Messenger. “Behold the Bridegroom Cometh!” All at once the eyes of the sleepers are opened. Drowsiness and slumber are exchanged for life and activity. The Ten Virgins spring to their feet. The procession, for which they have been waiting to join, is close at hand. Approaching with waving torches and loud joyous music Jeremiah 7:34…… “The voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the Bridegroom, and the voice of the Bride…..”

The Ten Virgins grab their lamps. They begin to trim their lamps. Five of the watchers had been wise and brought oil in their vessels with their lamps. They had prepared for the long delay of the Bridegroom. They replenish the oil from the vessel and their lamps again burn brightly. The Five other Virgins had not been so prepared. They had made no provisions for any such delay. They looked at their lamps and they were gone out. They looked at their vessels and they were empty. What could they do?

They turned to their companions…. “Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.” “But the wise answered, saying not so; lest there be not enough for us and you:” Only one thing left to do, go up the street to them that sell and buy for yourselves. Although at this hour the merchant would be asleep. But it was their one chance, and they risked it. Jesus is the Divine Bridegroom. He is coming the second time to take his espoused Bride to His house, constituting the Church in every age of the world. It is composed of Wise and Foolish symbolized by the Ten Virgins. Some prepared, others not prepared.

Good Morning! There is no recourse, once the door of heaven shuts on that great day when Jesus comes for His bride, “There will be weeping and whaling and gnashing of teeth.”

THE DOOR WAS SHUT:Matthew 25:10. “And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”

The procession has come. The Five wise Virgins join it, their lamps trimmed and burning. They all proceed to the home of the Bridegroom. The Bridal Party enters and “The Door is shut.” By and by footsteps are approaching. It is the five improvident watchers hasting also to the Banquet hall. They knock --- They call out “Lord, Lord, open to us.” But an unexpected answer is heard. Not so, “I know you not.” From this same vantage point on the Mount of Olives our Lord must have looked down many times on just such a scene as he has described. He saw those who were turned away. While inside the house came the sounds of festive joy.

Those who were turned away were bitter and sad. They can see the lights gleaming and hear the sounds of music and laughter from within, while they themselves are left standing in the dark street. “The Door was shut.” Not to the unholy and the profane, but to the improvident and unwatchful professors. To those who had a show of religion. They were dressed in the same festive dress as the Wise Virgins. They had the same Lamps in their hands. They had gone forth professedly to meet Christ. With the apparent resemblance and identity, they were disowned at last by the Divine Bridegroom

Now to all who are apathetic and unconcerned, the day is coming when you to shall be startled from your dreaming. Fearfulness shall surprise the hypocrites. Bless God the Bridegroom tarries. He tarries to give all the opportunity to be saved. The wickedness of this world shall quicken the Bridegroom’s steps. Another hour, eternity may be at the door. Some may mock at prayer now, but the cry will come, “Lord, Lord, Open.” Let us not have to go to the Oil-vender in the blackness of the midnight hour. Let us be ready “For in such an hour as you think not, the Son of Man cometh.”

Good Morning! In Acts16:10 the ‘we’ section of the Book of Acts begins It means that the author, Luke, ‘the beloved physician’ joined Paul for the first time. When Paul left Philippi, Acts 16:40, Luke remained there, now six years later Paul is back and the ‘we’ section begins again to the end of the book of Acts, and Luke is with him till his death.

ALL-NIGHT SERVICE AT TROAS:Acts 20:6. “And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days. 7. And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. 8. And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.

We have all heard long ‘winded preachers,’ especially those who have no notes to tell them when they have said enough. My dad, an ‘Old-Time’ preacher said that 30 minutes was long enough for any good preacher and too long for most of them. But my how I wish I had a record of every word Paul preached that long night at Troas. This would be the last time Paul would pass through Troas and he had a lot to say to those gathered there that night. The Apostle would not see these people again till Judgment Day. So Paul poured out his heart all night.

They had 7 days to get the word out that Paul was in town and was going to preach that weekend. Everyone wanted to be there—so they all crowded into the “upper chamber,” (packed’m in). What excitement. It was like the time when Jesus was in Capernaum and they had to take the roof off to get a man to Him. We can all remember such a service, especially us older ones. There were “many lights in the upper chamber,’ oil lamps, and candles. People had made great sacrifice to be there.

Many people today do not know what it is to sacrifice to go to Church. We ride a few blocks, if it is convenient, if the weather is not too pretty to go riding, fishing, visiting, or too bad, 20% chance of snow or rain. But it seems we will make no effort, or real sacrifice to attend. People will not come to Church if they are tired or feel bad, or mad, or can think of something they would rather do.

Good Morning! Preachers find some consolation in the fact that even Paul was not able to hold the attention of everyone in his Congregation. Eutychus struggled bravely to keep awake, hoping that Paul would finish. But he went on for more.

PAUL PREACHED A LONG TIME:Acts 20:9. “And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. 10. And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.11. When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed. 12. And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.

Eutychus may have come a long ways, under great hardships, to be in that service. It says a lot that he was there, possible he was a slave. He may have been there since before dawn, because the Early Church started this day with early prayer before dawn. Eutychus sat in an up-stairs window, 3rd loft. It would be interesting to know why he chose that particular place, Hot, stuffy, smoke filled from all the lamps. Early places of worship had only the bare essentials for worship. They usually had a poor, bare, uncomfortable, and ordinary room in a home for its Church.

Eutychus Went To Sleep And Fell To His Death: Yet the gathering was alive with the magnetic vitality of the speaker, cheered by the consciousness of the Divine Presence. I believe Paul was preaching under the “unction” (anointing) of the Holy Ghost. Yet Eutychus fell asleep. Not only fell asleep, but fell out of the third loft and killed himself. People still fall asleep in Church. I’m talking about spiritual sleep. They are faithful to attend. They stay until it is over. Yet are oblivious to what’s going on. Not conscious or aware of the real objectives of the Church.

Paul knew that, “After his departure, grievous wolves would enter in among them, not sparking the Flock.” (Acts 20:29) “Therefore watch (Verse 31). But Eutychus sat and nodded…. unmindful and unaware of the warnings. Heedless and with disregard to Paul’s preaching. “As Paul discoursed yet longer,” A.S.V. “Paul’s address went on and on, …” Moffatt. “Paul prolonged his speech….” R.S.V.

Good Morning! The heat, the crowd, the smell of the lamps, the late hour, the long Sermon. “Taken up Dead.” The people considered him dead and Luke the Physician agrees with that view. Many argue otherwise.

PAUL PREACHED TILL DAYLIGHT:Acts 20:9b. “Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. 10. And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him. 11. When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.

Let us listen to Paul: “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” (Titus 2:11-13). Eutychus, “sunk down with sleep,..” (K.J.V) “He sank into a deep sleep…” (R.S.V.) Eutychus sunk lower on his precarious position …. Third Floor Window.. Anytime we are in Church we are in a precarious position… Weighed by what we hear?

“He that thinketh he standeth, let him take heed lest he fall.” Paul Continued. (1 Corinthians 10:12). “But thou, O Man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, faith, love, patience, fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” But Eutychus had been lulled to sleep by the power of the enemy, and just as Peter, James, and John slept in the garden while Jesus was praying for them. And Jonah had slept in times of great distress.

“But ye Brethren are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a Thief. Ye are Children of Light and the Children of the day. We are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep, sleep in the night; and they that are drunken are drunken in the night.” But as some will still do today, Eutychus let go in his sleep and fell and was taken up dead. Paul went down and fell on him, and embracing him. Did Paul Pray? I’m sure he did. Could we say the sudden jolt of Paul falling on him restarted his heart. And the squeezing of the embrace caused his breathing to start. Everyone to his own opinion. I have mine. I believe he was raised from the dead.

Good Morning! The Sea of Galilee is a small inland sea about 6 miles at its widest point and about 13 miles long. It can, and does, lie like a mirror at times, but it also can get whipped into a fury quickly by storms. It was the scene of some of Jesus’ greatest miracles.

THE NIGHT JESUS WALKED ON THE SEA:Matthew 14:24. “But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.28. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 32. And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.”

Paul wrote, “In perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea,.. 2 Corinthians 11:26. Perils, perils, and more perils. In this study a great disaster threatens Jesus’ chosen disciples. Two of them are the writers of this story, Matthew and John. Jesus had sent them off in a boat and they had been overtaken in a violent storm while He is alone on a mountain praying. And they are in imminent danger.

In another storm their ship was covered with waves and filled almost to sinking, so that the Disciples feared they would perish while Jesus slept in the stern. This storm was equally violent and lasted much longer. It caught the Twelve when they were half-way across and shortly after dark, and lasted until near day-break, “fourth watch,” with an unabated force, they had rowed in all a distance of 3 1/2 miles. Nine hours (John 6:19). During all those weary hours they had done little more than hold their own while pulling against the wind and waves.

The incidents of those fearful nights, the watching, the wet, the toiling without results, the fatigue, the terror and despair, are all described for us. They are the symbolic representations of all the perils and tribulations through which all believers must pass on their way to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Good Morning! The Disciples would never forget the lessons they learned the nights of the storms. Peter, writing many years later, spoke of, “The trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth” (1 Peter 1:7).

THE STORM HAPPENED AT NIGHT:Matthew 14:24. “But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.’

Storms at sea can happen at all hours of the day, but trials of faith always seem to happen at night. Were there no darkness there could be no trial. In all such trials we have the feeling that Jesus is not in the boat while the storm rages by night, and we toil on in rowing unaided, we think, by his Spiritual Presence. Worst of all, in these trials of faith, even with all our rowing, we make no progress. The best we can do is to hold our own, to keep off the rocky shore, to keep as best we can the water bailed out of the boat, to keep the bow pointed into the storm.

It is not always true that if we are not going forwards we must be going backward. An axiom for fair weather in a time of storm there is such a thing as standing still, and sometimes that can be in itself a great achievement. It is no small thing to weather the storm, and keep off the rocks, the sands, and the breakers. Don’t vex the soul of one who is already vexed by the storms, by telling wise sayings about progress, and backsliding, in and out, up and down, etc.

Instead of playing the part of a Job’s friend, rather remind him that the great thing for one to do in the storms of life is to endure. To be immovable, hold fast his moral interiority, and his profession of faith. Keep off the dangerous coast of immorality and infidelity. Tell him, yea assure him, that if he will only pull a little longer, however weary his arms, Jesus will come and calm the storm and bring them to shore. In the darkest trial of your life, He will come, only hold on.

“The Egyptians pursued the children of Israel. All the Horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen and his army overtook them encamping by the sea.” A thousand voices cried out in alarm, many wanting to go back. Moses – “Stand still and see the Salvation of the Lord.” … (Exodus 14:13)Paul – “Having done all to stand, stand therefore …. (Ephesians 6:13-14)

Good Morning! The Disciples were in the will of God when the storm broke upon them. Many times when we are storm tossed Satan wants us to feel that we are not in God’s will.

THE DISCIPLES WERE IN THE WILL OF GOD:Matthew 14:22. “And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.Mark 6:48. “And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. 49. But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:”

They probably concluded, when the storm came on, that Jesus had made a mistake in sending them across alone. Yet I feel the happy ending taught them.1. To have firm faith in His wise and loving care2. Expect a happy ending out of all perplexitiesYea even to glory in tribulation because of the great deliverance that would surely follow. Yet in this storm they had no expectation that Jesus would come to their rescue. For when He did come they thought He was a Spirit coming over the waters.

In The Fourth Watch Jesus Came To Them Walking On The Sea: He Saw Them, They Saw Him:Mark 6:48. And he saw them toiling in rowing;49. But when they saw him walking upon the sea,50. For they all saw him, and were troubled.

“In the fourth Watch.” About 3 A.M. just before dawn. Why so long? This was the last watch of the night. Some see in this a prophetic view. 1st Watch=the age of Law.2nd Watch= the age of Prophets.3rd Watch= the age of Gospel.4th Watch= the second coming of the Lord, during a time when the Church is buffeted by Anti-Christ spirits. He will be welcomed by His Church; He will bring calm and eternal peace. Listen to His familiar voice, a voice they had heard so often uttering words of cheer and hope. “Be of good cheer: It Is I; be not afraid.

PETER WALKS ON THE SEA:Matthew 14:28. “And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 32. And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 33. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

Second Miracle That Night: --- Peter said, “Lord if it be Thou bid me come unto thee on the water. And He said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.” That word, ‘Come’ had all the power that created the universe behind it. The invitation would have extended to all the rest of the disciples if only they had responded to it. We learn what power Jesus can bestow on them that believe on Him, He suspends the laws of nature. Fire wouldn’t burn them, Lions wouldn’t eat them, and a man walks upon water as if it were firm earth. Peter did what no mortal man had ever done before, nor has done since, walked upon the water.

Call it rashness, call it impulsiveness, call it reckless, but when Jesus said come, Peter was quick to obey and he walked, maybe to his surprise on the water. “But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, “Lord, save me.” The weak flesh got the better of the willing spirit. Fear overcame him, he thought only of the winds and the waves and his faith gave away. As Peter begins to sink crying, Lord, save me, “Jesus reached for him and caught him.” When your faith is weak, cry out to Jesus “Lord save me.”

Third Miracle Of That Night:—“The wind ceased.” “Immediately they were at Land.” Jesus did more in an instant than their all-night of rowing did. Our lesson from this, when the storms come in the night, keep trying your best to at least keep the faith, and Jesus will come. He may seem long in coming, but when He does come He first calms our fears, and then He relieves the fury of the storm.

Good Morning! Are we willing to give to God the one thing we cherish most? For us to be in a right relationship with God, we must be willing to put Him first above all else. We can thank God that he was willing to give his only son, our Savior Jesus, as the one sacrifice for the sins of the whole world.

OFFERING OUR ISAAC:Genesis 22:2. “And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.”

Abraham was a great man of faith. God tested Abraham by telling him to sacrifice his only son as a burnt offering. Abraham had to travel three days to the land of Moriah to the place God told him to go. This area was the same place where Jerusalem is today. It was as if God was asking Abraham to do something he would do himself when Jesus became the Lamb of God at Golgotha many years later. Where Abraham’s offering would only cover his sins, Jesus’ death was to cover the sins of everyone who ever lived and trusted in him.

Abraham was attentive to God’s call. Many times when God would call his name, Abraham would answer “Here I am.” Are we listening for God’s voice speaking to our hearts? When Isaac and Abraham came near to the place for the sacrifice, Isaac asked him where is the lamb for the sacrifice. He didn’t realize that Abraham was planning to use him for the lamb. Abraham answered him in faith: “God will provide himself a lamb.” When Abraham took the knife to slay Isaac, the angel of the Lord called to Abraham and prevented him. God realized that Abraham was obedient, even to the point of being willing to sacrifice his only son. Abraham had the faith to believe that if it was God’s will for him to take the life of Isaac, God also had the power to raise him from the dead.

Are we willing to offer our “Isaac?” Are we willing to give to God the one thing we cherish most? For us to be in a right relationship with God, we must be willing to put Him first above all else. We can thank God that he was willing to give his only son, our Savior Jesus, as the one sacrifice for the sins of the whole world.

Good Morning! This was the night of Israel’s birth. Before this night, a large family, a group of slaves. After this night, a nation on the rise, a nation which would affect every person born into this world since that memorial night.

ISRAEL’S LAST NIGHT IN EGYPT:Exodus 12:41 "And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt. 42. It is a night to be much observed unto the LORD for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the LORD to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations.”

Jehovah stood guard to protect Israel, therefore Israel must guard the memory of this night. It was the beginning of a history that shall flow with continuous current till time shall end. And that stream shall carry life and blessings to all nations of the earth. On that memorial night God Himself appeared on the earth on behalf of an enslaved and despised race and brought them from the house of bondage to take their place among the great historical nations.

As suddenly as the sun-rise a nation was born. Never before, nor since, has a nation been formed so suddenly. When the sun went down, the descendants of Abraham were sojourners and slaves toiling under the lash of the taskmaster and in a land not their own. When the morning broke, they were a great nation on the march, with an army of six-hundred-thousand strong—with the God of Hosts for a guide.

Rome began as 30 to 40 shepherds and robbers were drawn together in a small cluster of huts. Yet it took 700 years to reach the summit of its greatness. The Hebrews numbered nearly 3½ million the first day of their life as a nation. The birth-night of the Hebrew Nation was the great era of ancient times.

The Egyptians, the Babylonians, the Assyrians, all the great conquering nations of ancient times, have utterly passed away. They have few, if any, representatives to bear their name or to glory in their history. They have no influence in the life of the world today. But the Hebrews, in all their wanderings and dispersions, are Hebrews still. And the descendants of the three-and-one-half-million, who marched out of Egypt that night, may be found on all the continents and in all great cities of the earth.

Good Morning! The birth-night of the Hebrew Nation was the great era of ancient times. We want to look at that night for the next few days.

ALL EGYPT IS SLEEPING ON THAT DREADFUL NIGHT:Exodus 12:42. “It is a night to be much observed unto the LORD for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the LORD to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations.”

Let us study the events of that night that we may learn in what way God gave life to the Hebrew Nation. Let us suppose ourselves carried back to that night and become spectators as God works that night.

It is late March or early April; it is night throughout all the land of Egypt. A bright full moon shines from a cloudless sky. It is dark in the twenty-thousand cities and villages that line the banks of the Nile—all is still. The laborers have come in from the field, and are asleep. The Princes of Pharaoh are asleep in the palace on soft pillows of silk. The house-slaves are asleep on the floor. The bond-men, the wise-men, the magicians, which had withstood Moses and Aaron, are sleeping, along with Pharaoh and all his house—all Egypt slept.

The mighty Monarch has said that the man Moses shall not see his face any more. He has sworn that the hated Hebrew shall die the moment he appears again. For many days this fugitive from the desert had haunted the proud king. His shepherd’s staff has become more powerful than the scepter of Pharaoh. The wise-men and priests of Pharaoh had been confounded and put to shame by him. The water of the sacred river had been changed to blood, the cattle had been smitten, creeping things, lice and locus, and frogs have invaded every home, at the bidding of Moses.

But Pharaoh has had enough, he has forbidden Moses to ever come again. Moses said, thou spoken well, I will see thy face again no more” (Exodus 10:29). On this night the locusts are gone, the boils and blains which afflicted everyone are healed, the flax and barley that were beaten down by hail has been replaced by a harvest of wheat. The blood-stained waters of the Nile have become pure and fresh—the thick darkness has given away to the light of the full moon. A weary Monarch sleeps forgetting all the threats against his kingdom. So in Egypt all sleep as of death—silence reigns.

Good Morning! Men stand with staffs in their hands, women with child in arms, all ready to go forth when the sign was given.

ALL IN THE LAND OF GOSHEN ARE AWAKE:Exodus 12:22. “And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning. 23. For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.

No one is asleep in the Land of Goshen where the Hebrew slaves lived. In all the houses of the Hebrews, every soul is awake and every eye upon the watch. There is no stir in the streets; the families are all inside the house, as Rahab was commanded to “Get your family in.” There is a blood-stain on the lintel and on the side-posts of every door. Children are clutched in their mother’s arms. They have just finished eating supper—a roasted lamb, unleavened bread and with bitter herbs, representing the bitterness of their toil.

They ate while standing, their long robes are gathered up and girded tightly around their loins. Their feet are shod with sandals for a journey (These sandals would last their lifetime). They have a shepherd’s scrip (bag) on their shoulders filled with provisions for the way, (and also loaded with jewels of gold and silver borrowed from the Egyptians Exodus 11:3-4, “they spoiled the Egyptians” Exodus 12:36)

IT’S ALMOST MIDNIGHT: Strong men turn pale, women weep, children are too frightened to cry. They have been told by Moses “At Midnight, the Lord God would visit Egypt and all the first-born in the land of Egypt shall die. From the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts. And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more.” (Exodus 11:4-6)

You and I are living very close to the midnight hour when the Lord has promised to return for his people and deliver them out of their bondage. There will be two cries, one of triumph, the other of despair and anguish.

Good Morning! For 400 years God had heard the cry of the Hebrews—He remembered every cry, every sigh, every groan, now He would avenge 400 years of crying in one night.

A GREAT CRY WAS HEARD:Exodus 12:29. “And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle. 30. And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead.”

The Midnight Hour Draws Near: Listen! Was not that the sound of someone yelling? This is followed by a piercing scream coming from a distant home. Cold chills ran up the spines of everyone who heard it. Within minutes, not just one Egyptian home, but from every home, shrieks and howls break forth upon the stillness of the midnight air. Village after village, city after city, from the Palace of the King, to the mud-huts of the poor—The Cry Went Up. The young and old, rich and poor everyone was screaming.

There is universal terror throughout all Egypt for in one awful moment the Angel of Death has smitten every family in the whole nation with just one stroke which must have caused the most crushing sorrow.

“And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also. And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste;” Exodus 12:30-33).

Did you notice the little phrase at the end of verse 32? “And bless me also.” Here we have a very arrogant Egyptian Monarch brought to realization that there was a God who ruled the heaven and the earth, and His name was Jehovah, and at that dreadful moment he realized how much he needed that God’s blessing. Once before, 400 years before this night, another Pharaoh received the blessing of Jehovah as Jacob was brought before him (Genesis 47:10).

Good Morning! The scriptures emphasizes he haste with which the Children of Israel left the Land of Bondage, Paul tells of the haste with which God’s Children will leave this world, “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump.” 1 Corinthians 15:52.

THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL LEFT WITH HASTE:Exodus 12:37. “And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. 38. And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle. 41. And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt.”

“And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading-troughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders. And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle” (Exodus 12:34-38). Psalm has another account of that night, “He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes. Egypt was glad when they departed: for the fear of them fell upon them. And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness:” (Psalm 105:37-38, 43).

“And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites. Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them” (Exodus 3:7-9)

WHAT A GLORIOUS NIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD: In one glorious night Israel was set free from bondage and servitude. Our lesson from this, Jesus Christ came to set us free from the bondage of sin. In one glorious moment, it don’t take all night, we can be released from the chains which bind us, and come forth into the glorious liberty with God’s people.